The Power of Fan Service and What It Means for the Future of Movies | Rotten Tomatoes

You did it Internet: The Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’ is happening, coming to HBO Max in 2021. The campaign to release the director’s version of the DC superhero team-up flick, and Warner Bros.’ move to do just that, arguably represents the single greatest act of “fan service” in movie history. But what does this move – and others like it (hello, redesigned Sonic!) – mean for the future of movies and filmmakers’ ability to take creative risks? That’s what we’re asking in this deep dive into fan service, where we break down what exactly “fan service” is; take you through the history of fan campaigns and studios’ successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) attempts to please lovers of certain IP; and contemplate what it all means for some of our favorite franchises.